Created by an act of the legislature in 1959, Delta Dental first began offering dental insurance under the name Rhode Island State Dental Insurance Corporation. Though the name changed to Delta Dental of Rhode Island in 1973, the company remains a non-profit insurance corporation, focusing exclusively on dental insurance. With over a quarter million subscribers, and more than 750 participating dentists throughout Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut, it is now the largest provider of dental insurance in the state.
The company has achieved this level of growth by keeping the needs and dental health of its customers in mind. "We are very customer oriented," says President and CEO Colin A. MacGillivray. Rather than offering a fixed set of dental insurance plans, Delta allows employers the option of custom designing their own plan by selecting from a menu of services those which best suit their needs.
But no matter what combination of services are chosen, Delta's commitment to promoting good oral health is built in. The company encourages regular check-ups and cleanings for its customers, so that potentially serious problems can be diagnosed and treated before they require painful and expensive emergency treatment.
Delta's network of participating dentists is a cornerstone of maintaining high quality care for its customers. The network extends far beyond the New England. As a member of a national organization of Delta plans, the company's network spreads across the country, including more than 100,000 dentists nationwide. This ensures employees of national companies have access to the same level of service whether they live and work in Rhode Island or at a branch office in another state.
On the administrative level, Delta Dental has pledged itself to providing top quality customer service. An innovative processing system --designed specifically for dental insurance -- allows Delta to handle claims quickly and efficiently. And if a customer has a question about their coverage, they can call the company's toll-free number for an explanation. Delta backs this up with its Customer Service Guarantee, an agreement by the company to issue a predetermined refund if Delta fails to meet its service commitment.
This dedication to efficient administrative operations has allowed Delta Dental to drive costs down each year while still upholding a superior level of services. And since Delta is a not-for-profit corporation, the funds saved go towards increasing the financial security of the company itself.
"We are in a very strong financial position," says MacGillivray. "Our funds in reserve exceed not only government requirements but industry standards as well."
In the coming years Delta Dental plans to continue down the path it has set out for itself and looks forward to further growth in both its client base and network of dentists while improving the quality of service offered to customers. "We are always looking for ways to make our dental plans more efficient and affordable," says MacGillivray.